If you have a non-hotbed travel team of 9th grade kids, some of whom have the talent and desire to play DIII, others maybe higher, but none of whom are the type to get high DI early recruiting attention, is there any real benefit to paying a bunch of money to attend one hotbed recruiting tournament this Fall? Will DIII or non-early recruiting DI or DII coaches even going to come to their games to watch 9th graders?
This is not about my son, for whom we would only have play because he really likes the boys on his team and the sport. But the (parent) coaches just sent out an email making this Fall season all about the recruiting process (in order to justify very high fees).
What's the deal? I know it's a money grab, but is there any benefit to it recruiting-wise?
PS - I assume with near 100% confidence that there is ZERO recruiting benefit for a 2019 player to attend the weekend, if not a dominant stud (not). Correct?
Don't waste the money and time. If there are D3 potential players, they can wait until maybe fall or summer of junior year to start heavy with showcases. If they are low level D1 I would say summer between sophomore and junior years. This summer will be a waste mostly. Try to get them better and play best competition possible without being over their heads this year. Don't buy into the hype or money grabs. Vast majority of kids are not making commitments to play college ball until summer after junior year. There is plenty of time. If they are interested in a particular school (D-3, low D1). Start sending video, making contact with colleges after soph to junior summer. No harm if done earlier if a strong interest in particular schools, but not necessary for that level despite the hype and perceived pressure mostly from parents.
